Improvement in chalk-line holders



UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

NATHANIEL ROBBINS, OF ROOKPORT, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN CHALK-LINE HOLDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 129,250, dated July 16,1872.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, NATHANIEL ROBBINS, of the town of Bockport andState of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement inChalk and Line Holders and Distributers; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a true and correct description of the construction andoperation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing makingpart and parcel of this my specification.

The nature and object of my invention consist in the construction andmanufacture of a device that shall be composed of a chamber or tube forthe purpose of holding pulverized chalk, open at both ends, upon each ofwhich ends is screwed a cap containing within and filling it a piece ofcork or other elastic substance, and a follower placed upon the same. Ahole is bored centrally through the cork, as well as through the end ofeach cap, through which a chalk-line passes, the hole referred to beingsufficiently large to admit of the line passing freely through the same,and as the line is drawn backward and forward the chalk adheres to it,and is in a condition to be used for the purposes to which it is thusadapted.

In the drawing, A r presents the chamber holding the pulverize chalk.This may be constructed of metallic tubing of length and size, as may bedesired, on either end of which are screwed the end pieces 313, withinwhich are placed the pieces of cork O O, and the followers D D. Thethreads of the screws may be cut upon nearly the whole length of thechamber or tubing A A, and the end pieces adjusted upon the same bycorresponding threads, and made of sufficient length to nearly cover orenvelope the chamber or tubing when fully screwed up together. By thisproceeding the chalk contained within the chamber will be compressed andcompletely surrounding the line E. This line is then drawn backward andforward through the holes a a in the ends of the cap pieces and thecork, and becomes ready for use in the usual manner of striking lines.

By this mode of construction little if any chalk is wasted, and acompact and convenient der ice formed for containing the chalk, and uponwhich the line may be wound when not in use.

The elasticity of the cork or other analogous material used inconnection with the follower, admits of greater compressing power (orutilizes the same,) upon the chalk. The chamber can easily be refilled,when desired.

It is obvious that other forms of chambers can be formed for the purposedesigned with out changing the principle of constructionglobular orelliptical.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

An article of manufacture, consisting of a chamber for holdingpulverized chalk, and compressing the same by means of screw-capscontaining cork or other elastic material, and a follower, and throughthe whole of which a chalk-line passes, in the manner and for thepurpose herein specified.

NATHANIEL ROBBINS.

Witnesses ALFRED PARSONS, W. HOWARD TARR.

